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Mataura Ensign, 14 January 1914, Page 4

Gore was visited last night by an exceedingly heavy rainfall, and lifter the last week or so of dry, hot weather will have a beneficial effect on the crops and gardens. During the 12 hours to nine o'clock this morning the rainfall was 1.35 inches.

Residents en. route to the railway station this morning found their progress blocked at the corner of Main and Ashton Streets. The heavy rain that) fell during the night caused a quantity of loose paper and rubbish to accumulate over the sewer grating at this corner, with the result that the grating was blocked and the water could not get away. The water extended' along/the watertables andl across portion of Ashton Street to the west side of the Palace Hotelj and as far up Main Street as the Criterion Hotel. Only about two feet of the pathway was clear at the junction of the streets. The borough surfacemen shortly after eight o'clock this morning had the pathway and crossing clear of the superfluous water.

The maximum fine of 40s was recently imposed on James Henry Taylor, grocer and wine and spirit merchant, of South Melbourne, for selling liquor to a child under the age of 16 years, in bottles that were not securely sealed. A little boy was sent by his mother to get two bottles, which she provided, filled, one with whisky and the other with wine. The bottles were filled to order by the defendant, but he neglected to seal them. The boy, with a companion, had hardly left the defendant's shop when a constable saw him draw the cork of the whisky bottle, have a drink, and then pass the bottle to his equally youthful companion. The latter took a sip, but spat the liquor out. The law that requires bottles to be sealed was framed to meet just such circumstances' as these.

Tlx© .Western District of Southland was visited on Monday and yesterday with a fierce hot north-west wind, which assisted in doing a considerable amount of damage to bush areas through fires. Settlers in the Makarewa ana Longwood Bush districts had a very trying time. The high wind continued yesterday and fanned' the fire which started in the bush to serious proportions, and latest advice a indicate tliat several sawmills and settlers' houses were in grave danger of being destroyed. As it is, large areas of bush have been devastated, and 1 in some instances telephone communication cut off. The high wind carried sparks onward and created fresh fires so rapidly that it was found almost impossible to deal with the outbreak. Towards evening yesterday the •wind died down and heavy rain set in which will have thß effect of staying the progress of the fire. It is feared that several houses hava been destroyed.

. Lady Islington, wife of New Zealand's ex-Governor, launched the British battleship Emperor of India at Messrs Vickere' works, Barrow, on November 27. The launching weight of the vessel was 12,300 tons, and when ready for commissioning this superDreadnought will weigh close upon 26,000 tons. Mr Albert Vickers speaking at tlie luncheon subsequently, said that in one round from all her guns the Emperor of India would discharge over seven and tons of shot, almost exactly double that of the Dreadnought of 1906. The power stored up in all these projectiles fired in a round, lie added, is equal, as they leave the guns, to lifting the great mass of the ship completely out of the water. As a souvenir of the occasion, a diamond brooch was presented to Lady Islington, who acknowledged the gift in a charming little»speech, explaining that her husband was unable to reply for her, as he is now in India.

The Christc'hurch grain market is reported as being in a wasting condition at present, as no business of any importance is expected until the newgrain begins to come forward. It will be at least a fortnight before any grain threshed out of the stook is available; the only sample of tew grain heard of in the market was some rubbed out Algerian oats, for which the grower was offered Is 6d, but this price was declined. Old wheat is saleable if it is offered, and) odd' lines of both milling and fowl wheat com'bine to be picked un at advanced rates now ruling! It is reported that rust has done some damage to crops in North Canterbury, but to what extent will only be Knolwn when harvesting becomes more general.

The hot weather had an extraordinary effect upon the heavily tarred road surface in Park road, between Park avenue i and the entrance to the Domain Drive, j at Auckland, on Friday (saya the 'New Zealand Herald')- The road was made I by a special process, with a very larce I proportion of tar, and the ordinarily [ solid compound melted to a treacly consistency in the sun, arid gave a lot of trouble during the day. Tar oozed up in dozens of places as if miniature springs had broken out, and made little puddles; and in some instances it flowed into the side ohanneFs and made a slow and turgid l stream, one inch or so in depth. Several square yards of surface presented a clear, glistening black and sticky surface to traffic, and the busy motorists wasted much emphatic language upon it. As soon as the cooler evening came the tar solidified again.

The bridge at Paradise Flat is near completion, and work will then be started at Tapanui over "the Pomahaka i River (says the 'Courier').

At the Clutha County Council ra, eting on January 9 there were nine aj.r.licants for a clerical position and no tenders for eight contracts for rc.J-nv.k-ing.

It was erroneously stated in a paragraph yesterday that the annual Mataura School excursion would take place on February 3 to Colac Bay. The trip takes place on Tuesday, January 27, to Colac Bay.

A reminder is given of the meeting to be held at Latham's rooms this evening for the purpose of considering th© best means to be adopted to raise funds to provide uniforms for the members of the Gore Pipe Band.

i electric power at Dunedin was sliut off yesterday morning for about Halt an hour owing to a short circuit on a branch line near "Waipori, due to the heavy wind. As a consequence the tramcars were temporarily put out of service and all power plants had to cease running.

Tlie season has been an excellent one tor grass, and the hay crops which are to be seen, in most of the main thoroughfares of the town are looking in prime condition. It is feared, however, that if there is a recurrence of last night s heavy rain, the borough harvest may be detrimentally affected

The oat crops in the Mataura district are doing well. There is a good showing of grain, and good yields should result. Phe spell of dry weather broke last night, when a splendid rain fell which has done an immense amount of good to the growing turnip (Tops and, moreover, freshened up the pastures.

The contractors for the bridge over the Waikana Stream at Mataura (Messrs Seddon and Rothwell) have received word that the steel girders for the bridge will arrive in a day or two. Hie ironbark timber for the decking is to hand, so that residents of Kana Street will be pleased to know that the , work will be completed within a couple of raselcs. [/It is anticipated that the Mataura freezing works will commence operations for the season this month and as a result the town should be rendered busier than it has been during the past few months. Several improvements have been carried out at the works since last season. The drafting pens have been roofed in and a new dressing-shed and smoke-room have been provided for the men. The lambing season lias been an exceedingly good one, large percentages being common, so that'll record season can bo expectedT Buyers will soon be busy and com pet i Won will be keener than usual as another Home firm has booked eoaoe this/season. Another week should see/the completion of the Albion Street Section of the Mataura drainage scheme. The work has necessitated a lot of deep cutting, most of which has been undertaken with a steam 6coop. The contractors anticipate having the job off their hands next week.

New, dainty and distinctive describes a line of shot silks opened by Thomson and Beattie this week. These goods were ordered by cable and have just arrived in all their freshness. We want everyone to see them. The width is 40in and the price 5s lid. Vacancy for boarders. Gore Cadets parade to-morrow. Riversdale stock sale on Friday next. Waikoikoi annual picnic 011 January Meeting of Hokonui Lodge to-morrow night. Boyne Bros', summer sale starts on Friday. 1 Special values in flannel at H. and J. Smith's. Southland County invites tenders for contract works. Kaiwera picnic will be held 011 Friday, January 23. Unshrinkable Dreadnought serge in all shades at Lewis's. McDonald's annual boot sale for bargains starts Thursday. Stewart Bros., Mataura, mid-summer sale commences Thursday. Holiday excursion tickets to Gore for races on January 21 and 22. Stewart Bros., Mataura, great midsummer sale starts on Thursday. Large variety of teapots at Brownlie and Sons', "The Popular Store." _ Annual meeting of Gore Sheep Dog Trials Club 011 Saturday afternoon. Bargains for men and women at McGruer's summer sale, commencing Saturday.

Great sale of jewellery at 25 p#r cent, reduction at Baker's.